Omni-directional antenna for a cylindrical body

ABSTRACT

An antenna for a cylindrical body may include a flexible substrate with the antenna on it with a first terminal and a second terminal electrically connected to an integrated circuit, the flexible substrate coupled to the cylindrical body.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application hereby claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 toU.S. application Ser. No. 13/901,225 filed May 23, 2013, titled“Omni-Direction Antenna for a Cylindrical Body,” the entirety of whichis incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is generally directed to antenna apparatuses forcylindrical bodies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is gaining in popularity inapplications such as security, inventory management, access control,etc. As a sub-category, near field communication (NFC) using the samecarrier frequency as RFID in the High-Frequency (HF) range (13.56 MHz)are used in applications such as wireless sensors. The number ofNFC-enabled smart phones is growing as well as the various applicationsof passive or active transponders (RFID tags/NFC tags). Current RFID/NFCloop antennas used in RFID/NFC tags resonate in the 13.56 MHz range andare typically dipole antennas with a rectangular or circular shape. Thespatial response of the dipole antenna is two-directional with maximumswhen the reader's antenna and the tag antenna are parallel and nullswhen they are perpendicular.

If a 3-dimensional (3D) response is required, e.g. when the objectcarrying the RFID/NFC tag is placed in an arbitrary position or movingin an arbitrary direction, two antennas that are substantiallyorthogonal to each other are required. Such a combination is difficultto fabricate, tune, and match to the RFID/NFC chip and will most likelyrequire a custom Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). Becausea typical battery is cylindrical, the combination is further complicatedif the antenna is required to be placed on a cylinder.

Accordingly, a need exists for a single omni-directional antenna for acylindrical body for RFID and/or NFC applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, an apparatus for an antenna for a cylindrical bodymay include a flexible substrate coupled to a cylindrical body. Theflexible substrate may have an antenna on it with a first terminal and asecond terminal coupled to an integrated circuit. The integrated circuitmay include an analog to digital converter and a communication circuitand be configured to sense a condition of a battery and to signallycommunicate the condition of the battery.

In another embodiment, an apparatus for a folding antenna for acylindrical body, may include a flexible substrate coupled to acylindrical body and including an aperture disposed within the flexiblesubstrate and configured to allow the cylindrical body to pass withinthe aperture and wrap the flexible substrate around the cylindricalbody. An antenna with a first terminal and a second terminal may becoupled to the flexible substrate along with an integrated circuit. Theintegrated circuit may include an analog to digital converter and acommunication circuit and be configured to sense a condition of abattery and to signally communicate the condition of the battery to areader.

In yet another embodiment, an apparatus for a battery status indicationcircuit on a battery may include a flexible ferrite shield coupled to acylindrical battery. A continuous loop antenna with a first terminal anda second terminal may be printed on the ferrite shield. An integratedcircuit may be electrically coupled to the first terminal and the secondterminal of the antenna and may include an analog to digital converterand a communication circuit configured to sense a condition of a batteryand signally communicate the condition to a reader. The integratedcircuit may be electrically coupled to the battery by a first leadelectrically coupled to an anode of the battery and a second leadelectrically coupled to a cathode of the battery.

These and additional features provided by the embodiments describedherein will be more fully understood in view of the following detaileddescription, in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplaryin nature and not intended to limit the subject matter defined by theclaims. The following detailed description of the illustrativeembodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with thefollowing drawings, where like structure is indicated with likereference numerals and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a printed omni-directional antenna on a cylindrical bodyaccording to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIGS. 2A and 2B depict an out-of-phase configuration of a twosymmetrical loop omni-directional antenna according to one or moreembodiments shown and described herein;

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D depict an in-phase configuration of the twosymmetrical loop omni-directional antenna according to one or moreembodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 4 depicts a folded antenna according to one or more embodimentsshown and described herein;

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C depict the steps to wrap the folded antenna arounda cylindrical body are shown according to one or more embodiments shownand described herein;

FIG. 6 illustrates a read range of the folded antenna rotated about acenter of its curved surface according to one or more embodiments shownand described herein;

FIG. 7 illustrates the read range of the folded antenna rotated aboutits long axis according to one or more embodiments shown and describedherein;

FIG. 8 depicts an in-phase configuration of a two symmetrical loopomni-directional antenna according to one or more embodiments shown anddescribed herein; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a read range of several omni-directional antennaembodiments according to one or more embodiments shown and describedherein

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 generally depicts one embodiment of a single omni-directionalantenna that may be placed or printed on a cylindrical body 53 andprovide a 3D ability (any orientation of the omni-directional antenna)to be read using RFID/NFC technology. Various embodiments of theomni-directional antenna and the operation of the omni-directionalantenna will be described in more detail herein.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an omni-directional antenna 40 that may belocated on a cylindrical body 53 is shown. The omni-directional antenna40 may include a plurality of antenna traces 45 that may define multipleantennas or define one or more continuous loop antennas. Each loop mayhave one or more turns or windings of the plurality of antenna traces45. In one embodiment, the omni-directional antenna 40 is printeddirectly on the cylindrical body 53. In another embodiment, theomni-directional antenna 40 is printed directly on a flexible substrate50. The flexible substrate 50 may be, for example, a protective layerplaced on the cylindrical body 53 by an adhesive, a multi-layeredprinted circuit board that is flexible, and/or a shrinkable materialthat allows the flexible substrate 50 to be coupled to the cylindricalbody 53. The shrinkable material may be placed over the cylindrical body53 and thermally or light activated to shrink and conform the flexiblesubstrate 50 to the cylindrical body 53.

In some embodiments, the flexible substrate 50 may be an electromagneticfield (EMF) deflector for use on the cylindrical body 53 if, forexample, the cylindrical body 53 is made from any material that mayconduct or circulate currents (Eddy currents) as a result of exposure toa magnetic field, such as time varying magnetic field. Materials thatmay conduct or circulate currents when exposed to a magnetic field mayinclude any ferrous and/or non-ferrous metal or any material with theability to conduct a finite amount of electrons. The EMF deflector maybe painted, printed, or glued to the cylindrical body 53 and may serveto block or diminish any magnetic fields either induced by theomni-directional antenna 40 and/or induced by the environment fromproducing Eddy currents in the cylindrical body 53. The EMF deflectormay be a flexible ferrite shield that is coupled to the cylindrical body53 or made from any other material with high magnetic permeability at aspecified frequency. Another name for the EMF deflector may be a“magnetic diverter” as shown and described in U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/746,265 which is herein incorporated by reference inits entirety. The EMF deflector should not be electrically conductive toprevent Eddy currents from forming and collapsing the field around theantenna. Other materials may be used as the ferrite shield which providea high magnetic permeability with electrical isolation such as, forexample, iron, nickel, or cobalt and their corresponding alloys whichare not electrically conductive. The EMF deflector may allow RFID/NFCtechnology to work on the cylindrical body 53 that may conduct orcirculate currents as a result of exposure to a magnetic field.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 6 and 7, a long axis 710 is shown along the lengthof the cylindrical body's 53 center. A circular end view 83 is visiblewhen viewing the cylindrical body 53 along the long axis 710 as shown inFIG. 7. A longitudinal view 82 is visible when viewing the cylindricalbody 53 perpendicular to the long axis 710 as shown in FIG. 6.

In another embodiment, the EMF deflector may be interposed or situatedbetween the cylindrical body 53 and the flexible substrate 50. The EMFdeflector may be painted, printed, or glued to the cylindrical body 53and the flexible substrate 50 may be shrunk or adhered to the EMFdeflector.

A chip location 55 may be positioned anywhere on the flexible substrate50 but it is preferably near a first terminal 60 and a second terminal65 of the antenna trace 45. The first terminal 60 and the secondterminal 65 may provide joint connections for solder, conductiveadhesive, ultrasonic welding, or crimping of an integrated circuit (IC).The IC may comprise a communication circuit, and/or an analog-to-digital(ADC) chip electrically coupled together to perform a function. The ICmay include other circuits to include, but not limited to, an indicationcircuit, a power circuit, a RFID chip, a NFC chip, an input/outputcircuit or port, etc. The IC may physically co-locate the communicationcircuit and ADC together side-by-side or physically integrate themtogether. The IC may be coupled to the flexible substrate 50 or it maybe coupled directly to the cylindrical body 53. The IC may also comprisean ASIC that is specifically manufactured to encompass the performanceof the function required. The function may be to determine a specifiedcondition of a battery and relay that information to a reader in theform of function information. The function may also be to signallycommunicate a notification of the specific condition of the battery orthe function may be to provide an indication of the specified conditionof the battery which may include audible, visible, or pallesthesiaindications. Pallesthesia is the ability to sense a vibration and apallesthesia indication is a mechanical or electromechanical means toprovide the sense of vibration. The specified condition of the batterymay include the power output of a battery, rate of discharge, when thebattery is nearing the end of its useful life and provide an indicationthat it needs to be used or replaced, or a state of charge of thebattery. The function may be to provide function information concerning:over-discharge protection; over-charge protection; remaining capacitydetermination; voltage determination; cycle life determination; andpower management. Power management functions may include batteryidentification; battery state of health; battery protection; cellbalancing; fuel gauging; charge control; voltage conversion; loadregulation; powering battery on/off; power setting adjustment; allow orprevent recharging; battery by-pass; temperature monitoring; andcharging rate adjustment. Function information may also includeidentification information as described below.

A first lead 70 and a second lead 75 may be used to couple to the endsof the cylindrical body 53. The first lead 70 and the second lead 75 maynot cross the antenna trace 45 and may be either printed either directlyon the cylindrical body 53 or on the flexible substrate 50. The firstlead 70 and/or the second lead 75 may be electrically isolated from thecylindrical body 53. If for example, the cylindrical body 53 is abattery, the first lead 70 may extend from the chip location 55 to theupper battery end (anode) and remain electrically isolated from thebattery till it is electrically coupled to the upper battery end. Thesecond lead 75 may also extend from the chip location 55 to the lowerbattery end (cathode) or the second lead 75 may terminate on thecylindrical body 53 at the chip location 55. The first lead 70 and thesecond lead 75 may be coupled to the ends of the cylindrical body 53 byconductive adhesive such as, for example a silver epoxy, or byultrasonic welding.

The IC, for example, may physically integrate and electrically coupletogether the RFID chip and/or the NFC chip, ADC, the first terminal 60,the second terminal 65, the first lead 70 and the second lead 75. The ICmay also be configured with a unique identifier (RFID tag equivalent)that indicates either a unique sequence of numbers/symbols orinformation such as, for example, manufacturing date, lot number, serialnumber, and the other identifiable information. The IC may be configuredto sense a voltage of a battery with a first lead electrically coupledto an anode of the battery and a second lead electrically coupled to acathode of the battery. The IC may sense the voltage between the anodeand cathode of the battery and signally report that voltage to a reader.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an out-of-phase configuration 200 of a twosymmetrical loop omni-directional antenna. FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3Dillustrate an in-phase configuration 300 of the omni-directional antennawith two symmetrical loops. FIGS. 2A and 3A depict the two symmetricalloop omni-directional antenna flat for clarity of the non-overlappingtwo symmetrical loops. In one embodiment, the two symmetrical loopomni-directional antenna may be printed directly on the cylindricalbody. In another embodiment, the two symmetrical loop omni-directionalantenna may be printed on the flexible substrate 50 as described above.The flexible substrate 50 may have a first edge 205 and a second edge210. Each symmetrical loop of the two symmetrical loop omni-directionalantenna may include one, two, or more turns of the antenna trace 45.

The two symmetrical loop omni-directional antenna is shown in anout-of-phase configuration 200 in FIGS. 2A and 2B and in the in-phaseconfiguration 300 in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D. When the two symmetricalloop omni-directional antenna is coupled to the cylindrical body, thetwo loops of the two symmetrical loop omni-directional antenna are atabout 180 degrees apart (opposite sides of the cylindrical body) fromeach other which may allow for better signal communication between thetwo symmetrical loop omni-directional antenna and a reader (not shown).The out-of-phase configuration 200 provides for increased signalfidelity at the cylindrical ends (top and bottom) of the cylindricalbody where the circular sections of the antenna trace 45 along a topsection and a bottom section of the cylindrical body are in phase withone another and the long axis sections of the antenna trace 45 cancelout. The term “in phase” may include situations where a wave form is insync or where the frequency of two or more waveforms are the same andtheir positive and negative peaks occur at the same time. The term“cancel out” may include situations where two or more waveforms areout-of-phase by about 180 degrees and have the same frequency andamplitude.

FIGS. 2B and 3B depict the two symmetrical loop omni-directional antennaon the flexible substrate 50 from FIGS. 2A and 3B respectively that maybe wrapped around the cylindrical body (not shown). There is no overlapbetween the first edge 205 and the second edge 210. The chip location 55and the first terminal 60 and the second terminal 65 are shown and workas described above. In this illustrative embodiment, when the flexiblesubstrate 50 is wrapped around a cylindrical object, the first edge 205and the second edge 210 are substantially parallel to each other. Inanother embodiment, the two symmetrical loop omni-directional antennamay not be limited to having a first edge 205 and a second edge 210 andmay be printed on the flexible substrate 50 that is cylindrical in shapeas shown in FIG. 1. The cylindrical shaped flexible substrate 50 mayslide over the cylindrical body and may not be wrapped around asillustrated in FIG. 2B.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D depict an in-phase configuration 300 of the twosymmetrical loop omni-directional antenna with each symmetrical loophaving two turns. The two symmetrical loop omni-directional antenna maybe either printed directly on the cylindrical body or onto the flexiblesubstrate 50 as described above. In the in-phase configuration 300, theantenna trace 45 connections with the chip location 55 are reversed asshown in the out-of-phase connection of FIGS. 2A and 2B. The in-phaseconfiguration 300 increases signal fidelity along the long axis of thecylindrical body where the circular sections of the antenna trace 45 areout-of-phase with one another and cancel out and the long axis sectionsof the antenna trace 45 are in-phase.

In some embodiments, the flexible substrate 50 may be a multi-layerprinted circuit board (PCB). The first terminal 60 may be electricallycoupled to the IC on the chip location 55 via a different layer on themulti-layered PCB than the antenna trace 45. This may allow the overlapof traces as shown in FIGS. 3A and B without electrically coupling thetraces together. Furthermore, the first lead 70 and the second lead 75may also be on a separate layer of the multi-layered PCB to facilitatethe crossing of the first lead 70 and the second lead 75 with theantenna trace 45. As shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D, a bridge 63 may be neededto allow for the electrical coupling of the IC to the first terminal 60and the second terminal 65 as described in greater detail below.

Referring to FIG. 3C, the flexible substrate 50 may be recessed or cutout to reduce the thickness of the battery label. A first tab 310 of theflexible substrate 50 may provide structure for the first lead 70 andmay be folded over to flexibly couple the first lead 70 to the top ofthe cylindrical body. A second tab 311 of the flexible substrate 50 mayprovide structure for the second lead 75 and may be folded over toflexibly couple the second lead 75 to the bottom of the cylindricalbody.

FIG. 4 depicts a folded antenna 400 on the flexible substrate 50. Thefolded antenna 400 may have the antenna trace 45 creating at least onecontinuous loop. In one embodiment, the antenna trace 45 creates acontinuous loop antenna with at least three turns or more preferably atleast five turns. An aperture 405 is disposed within the flexiblesubstrate 50. The flexible substrate may have three extended sections, afirst extended section 410, a second extended section 411, and a thirdextended section 412. The three extended sections (410, 411, and 412)are used to provide a mounting surface for a component of the foldedantenna 400. For example: the first extended section 410 may be used toflexibly couple the first lead 70 to the cylindrical body; the secondextended section 411 may be used to flexibly couple the second lead 75to the cylindrical body; and the third extended section 412 may be usedto flexibly couple the chip location 55 to the folded antenna 400.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C depict steps for wrapping the folded antenna 400from FIG. 4 around the cylindrical body. In FIG. 5A, the aperture 405 ofthe folded antenna 400 is pulled open. Arrow O1 indicates the lowersection below the aperture 405 is pulled away from the upper sectionrepresented by the arrow O2 resulting in a shape found in FIG. 5B. Afirst flap 510 and second flap 515 are then “folded” to lay flat andconform to the cylindrical body. FIG. 5C illustrates the final form ofthe folded antenna 400. The second flap 515 is shown against the foldedantenna 400.

FIG. 6 illustrates the read range using the folded antenna 400 as acylindrical body 600 is rotated 360 degrees about a center 610 of itscurved surface in front of a reader (not shown). The distance from thecenter of the cylindrical body 600 is measured in millimeters. The readrange around the anode and cathode of the battery may be from about 25to about 35 mm from the center 610 of the battery. The read range may beabout 30 mm from the center 610 of the battery along the long axis ofthe battery.

FIG. 7 illustrates the read range using the folded antenna 400 as acylindrical body 700 is rotated 360 degrees about its long axis 710 infront of a reader (not shown). The distance from the center of thecylindrical body 700 is measured in millimeters. The read range, as thebattery is rotated about its long axis 710, may be from about 20 mm toabout 28 mm. The read range of the folded antenna 400 may provide a moreconsistent read range as the battery is rotated about its long axis 710.

FIG. 8 depicts a two symmetrical loop omni-directional antenna 800 in anin-phase configuration with three turns per symmetrical loop. The twosymmetrical loop omni-directional antenna 800 may be either printeddirectly on the cylindrical body or onto the flexible substrate 50 asdescribed above. The in-phase configuration increases signal fidelityalong the long axis of the cylindrical body where the circular sectionsof the antenna trace 45 are out-of-phase with one another and cancel outand the long axis sections of the antenna trace 45 are in-phase.

A first tab 310 of the flexible substrate 50 may provide structure forthe first lead 70 and may be folded over to flexibly couple the firstlead 70 to the top of the cylindrical body. A second tab 311 of theflexible substrate 50 may provide structure for the second lead 75 andmay be folded over to flexibly couple the second lead 75 to the bottomof the cylindrical body.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to amaximum of three symmetrical loops but may be of any number required toachieve the desired read range. As explained below in regards to thecommunication circuit, a low-frequency (from about 125 kHz to about134.2 kHz and from about 140 kHz to about 148.5 kHz), a high-frequency(about 13.56 MHz) or a ultra-high frequency (from about 868 MHz to about928 MHz) may be used to conform to RFID standards already in use aroundthe globe. The corresponding IC input capacitance and antenna inductancemust be accounted for in deciding how many symmetrical loops and or howmany turns per symmetrical loop may be used to provide a LC (inductanceand capacitance) tank circuit with a tunability range to meet the RFIDchip and RFID chip reader resonance frequencies.

FIG. 9 illustrates the read range in millimeters (mm) of severalembodiments of the two symmetrical omni-directional antenna forcylindrical bodies. The two turns per symmetrical loop (circle)omni-directional antenna, a three turns per symmetrical loop (square)omni-directional antenna, and the five turn folded (X) omni-directionalantenna are shown for comparison in the in-phase configuration. The twosymmetrical loop (circle) omni-directional antenna may have a read rangeof about 18 mm to about 30 mm. The three turns per symmetrical loop(square) omni-directional antenna may have a read range of about 22 mmto about 33 mm. The five turn folded (X) omni-directional antenna mayhave a read range of about 22 mm to about 25 mm.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4 and 8, printing either the antenna or flexiblesubstrate 50 may include either a machine that defines the antenna orflexible substrate 50 through the use of screen, gravure, or ink jetprinting to apply the material onto a subject surface (cylindrical bodyor flexible substrate) such as RF sputtering technique, impact orpressure is applied to define material on the subject surface, metalfoil mask and etch technique, or a heat or light activated material thatis applied to the subject surface.

The antenna trace 45, the first terminal 60, the second terminal 65, thefirst lead 70, and the second lead 75 may be made from copper, aluminum,silver, gold, or other conductive metals. Other examples includeconductive polymers, conductive glues, and conductive carbon, such asgraphite. In one embodiment, the antenna trace 45, the first terminal60, the second terminal 65, the first lead 70, and the second lead 75may be printed as described above. In another embodiment, the antennatrace 45, the first terminal 60, the second terminal 65, the first lead70, and the second lead 75 may be a pre-formed wire that is eitherinsulated or bare. If the pre-formed wire is bare, it may be covered bya non-conductive sheet, a non-conductive tape, a non-conductive flexiblesubstrate, or a non-conductive shrink wrap. For example, thenon-conductive sheet or shrink wrap may be a product label.

In one embodiment, the IC may be powered by the battery 10 (active). Inanother embodiment, the IC may be only powered by the battery when areader is detected 10 (battery-assisted passive) and in yet anotherembodiment, the IC may not be powered by the battery (passive), e.g.,powered by energy harvesting from external power source.

The communications circuit may use any suitable communications protocolsuch as, but not limited to, radio-frequency identification (RFID)circuitry (RFID tag) and/or near field communication (NFC) circuitry(NFC tag) as included within, for example, ISO/IEC 14223, 14443, 15693,15961, 15962, 15963, 18000, 18092, and 21481 communication standards;Bluetooth circuitry as included within, for example, IEEE 802.15.1communication standard; WiFi circuitry as included within, for example,IEEE 802.11 communication standard; Zigbee circuitry as included within,for example, IEEE 802 communication standard; and any suitable fixedwireless communication circuitry. The communications circuit may utilizeany suitable frequency bands such as high frequency (HF), ultra-highfrequency (UHF), or microwave frequency.

It should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to a singlebattery and may apply to any cylindrical body or objects that uses aRFID tag (chip) or NFC tags (chip) for monitoring its status. Forexample, the cylindrical body may be a rechargeable battery, a fuelcell, a stack of coin batteries, or a stack of cylindrical batteries.Cylindrical batteries may include, for example, AAAA, AAA, AA, C, D,CR2, A123, and other batteries with a cylindrical shape.

The reader may be any device capable of reading the RFID tag or NFC tag.Specific examples may include a smartphone, tablet, personal computer(PC), dedicated RFID tag reader, a dedicated NFC tag reader, a handheldcomputing device, or a wand antenna electrically coupled to a computingdevice. The reader may be used to excite the IC by transmitting aninterrogation signal or may transmit a “wake-up” signal to the IC. Theinterrogation signal may be a RF pulse of a predetermined frequency usedto energize the circuit in the IC and provide power to the IC totransmit its function information. The “wake-up” signal may also be a RFpulse but the IC may use power from another source to power the IC andto transmit its function information. The reader may include a displayto visibly present the function information or audible device capable ofaudibly presenting the function information. The reader may also includealgorithms to interpret and/or modify the function information beforepresenting.

It is noted that the terms “substantially” and “about” may be utilizedherein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may beattributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or otherrepresentation. These terms are also utilized herein to represent thedegree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a statedreference without resulting in a change in the basic function of thesubject matter at issue.

Certain terminology is used in the disclosure for convenience only andis not limiting. The words “left”, “right”, “front”, “back”, “top”,“bottom”, “upper”, and “lower” designate directions in the drawings towhich reference is made. The terminology includes the words noted aboveas well as derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation ofany document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect toany invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in anycombination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests ordiscloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning ordefinition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning ordefinition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, themeaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shallgovern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A folded antenna for a cylindrical battery,comprising: a flexible substrate coupled to the cylindrical batterycomprising an aperture disposed within the flexible substrate andconfigured to allow the cylindrical battery to pass within the apertureand wrap the flexible substrate around the cylindrical battery; anantenna with a first terminal and a second terminal coupled to theflexible substrate; and an integrated circuit coupled to the firstterminal and the second terminal, wherein the integrated circuit is aradio frequency identification chip or near field communication chipthat comprises an analog to digital converter and a communicationcircuit, and, wherein the integrated circuit is configured to sense andsignally communicate a condition of the battery with a first leadelectrically coupled to an anode of the battery and a second leadelectrically coupled to a cathode of the battery.
 2. The folded antennaof claim 1, wherein the integrated circuit is configured to signallycommunicate the condition of the battery to a reader, the reader ischosen from the group consisting of a smartphone, tablet, personalcomputer, dedicated radio frequency identification rag reader, adedicated near field communication tag reader, a handheld computingdevice, and a wand antenna electrically coupled to a computing device.3. The folded antenna of claim 1, wherein the condition of the batteryincludes at least one of: (i) a power output of the battery, (ii) a rateof discharge, (iii) when the battery is nearing the end of its usefullife, (iv) an indication that the battery needs to be used or replaced,(v) over-discharge protection information, (vi) remaining capacitydetermination information, (vii) voltage determination information,(viii) cycle life determination information, (ix) power managementinformation, (x) battery identification, (xi) battery state of health,(xii) battery protection, (xiii) cell balancing, (xiv) charge control,(xv) voltage conversion, (xvi) load regulation, (xvii) powering batteryon/off, (xviii) power setting adjustment, (xix) allowing or preventingrecharging, (xx) battery by-pass, (xxi) temperature monitoring, and(xxii) charging rate adjustment.